Tween Gift Ideas 2025: What’s Hot in Science & Tech

Creative Tech for Inventive Minds

If there’s one thing we’ve noticed about tweens in 2025, it’s their appetite for tech that lets them create, tinker, and experiment. The latest wave of creative technology gifts is all about empowering kids to build, design, and capture their world in new ways. These aren’t just flashy gadgets—they’re tools for hands-on discovery and self-expression.

One standout trend is the rise of 3D printing pens. These clever devices allow kids to draw in three dimensions, turning their ideas into tangible models, jewelry, or even small gadgets. The SCRIB3D 3D Printing Pen, for example, is earning rave reviews for its easy-to-use controls and included stencils, making it approachable for beginners while still offering plenty of room for experimentation as skills grow [2]. Tweens love the instant feedback of seeing their creations come to life, and parents appreciate that it encourages spatial reasoning and patience.

Coding kits are also evolving to meet tweens where they are—curious, capable, and ready for a challenge. Beginner-friendly sets now blend block-based coding with real-world results, like programming a robot to navigate a maze or designing a simple video game. These kits often include step-by-step tutorials and online communities, so kids can learn at their own pace and share their projects with others [3]. The best ones are open-ended, letting kids move from guided activities to inventing their own solutions.

Photography is another area where tech meets creativity. Instant cameras, like the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12, are making a big comeback, but with modern upgrades: built-in selfie mirrors, fun color options, and film with customizable borders [2][4]. Tweens are using these cameras to document adventures with friends, decorate their rooms with photo collages, and even create mini scrapbooks. The tactile experience of snapping a photo and watching it develop feels fresh in a digital world, and it’s a great way to encourage storytelling and observation.

DIY electronics kits round out this tech-forward landscape. These sets invite kids to build their own gadgets—think light-up badges, mini speakers, or even simple synthesizers. By wiring circuits and experimenting with sensors, tweens get a hands-on introduction to engineering concepts and problem-solving. The best kits are modular, so kids can remix components and invent new devices long after the initial project is complete [3].

Science Kits and Open-Ended Building

Tweens are natural experimenters, and the best science gifts in 2025 tap into that curiosity with kits and toys that invite open-ended exploration. This year’s top picks go beyond the basics, offering multi-step experiments, real scientific tools, and challenges that grow with your child’s interests.

Chemistry and physics kits have become more sophisticated, with sets that let kids extract DNA from fruit, build working circuits, or launch mini rockets. What sets the best kits apart is their focus on hands-on learning—tweens aren’t just following instructions, they’re making predictions, testing hypotheses, and drawing their own conclusions [3]. Many kits now include digital extensions, like interactive apps or online experiment logs, so kids can dive deeper into the science behind the fun.

Open-ended building toys remain a perennial favorite, but the options have expanded far beyond classic blocks. Magnetic tiles, modular robotics, and advanced marble runs are all capturing the attention of tweens who crave both structure and freedom. These toys encourage creative problem-solving and collaboration, whether kids are building solo or teaming up with friends [5]. The best sets are durable, easy to expand, and designed to be reconfigured in endless ways.

Logic puzzles and brain games are also trending, especially those that blend tactile play with strategic thinking. The Kanoodle SudoQube, for instance, combines the challenge of Sudoku with a 3D twist, inviting kids to solve puzzles by fitting colorful pieces into a cube without repeating colors in any row or column [2]. These games are perfect for quiet afternoons or family game nights, and they help develop critical thinking skills that serve kids well in and out of the classroom.

We’re also seeing a surge in kits that encourage group play—think collaborative escape room games, mystery-solving sets, and science challenges designed for teams. These gifts are ideal for tweens who love to compete, cooperate, and show off their discoveries to friends and family [1]. The social aspect adds a layer of excitement and helps kids practice communication and teamwork.

Gifts That Encourage Self-Expression

As tweens carve out their identities, gifts that let them express themselves are more meaningful than ever. In 2025, the most popular options blend artistic creativity with a dash of tech, giving kids new ways to personalize their space, style, and stories.

Art and craft kits have evolved to include everything from digital drawing tablets to DIY jewelry that lights up. Many sets now come with apps or online galleries where kids can share their creations, learn new techniques, and find inspiration from peers around the world [3]. For hands-on makers, needle felting kits and friendship bracelet makers are still going strong, offering a satisfying mix of fine motor skills and creative freedom [1][2]. The best kits include high-quality materials and clear instructions, so tweens can dive right in and experiment.

Personalized accessories are another big hit. From custom name necklaces to bag charms shaped like favorite animals or emojis, these gifts let kids showcase their interests and style. Jellycat’s Amuseables line, for example, has become a favorite for its quirky, ultra-soft plush charms that clip onto backpacks or keychains [4]. Tweens love collecting and trading these, and they’re a fun way to add personality to everyday gear.

Room decor is also getting a personal touch. Light-up signs, customizable LED strips, and peel-and-stick wall decals let tweens transform their rooms into a reflection of their passions—whether that’s astronomy, gaming, or music. Journals and sketchbooks with prompts for self-reflection, goal-setting, or creative writing are also in demand, giving kids a private space to explore their thoughts and dreams [2].

Tech-enabled gadgets are making self-expression even more interactive. Customizable Bluetooth speakers, color-changing alarm clocks, and even programmable desk organizers are letting tweens blend function with flair. These gifts are practical, but they also invite kids to experiment with design and technology in their own unique way.

Fun for Friends and Family

Tweens are at an age where friendships and social connections take center stage. The hottest gifts in 2025 recognize this, offering opportunities for collaborative play, shared experiences, and a little friendly competition.

Board games have leveled up, with options that challenge kids’ strategic thinking and teamwork. Games like Telestrations and other drawing or deduction-based titles are crowd-pleasers, encouraging laughter and creativity while also stretching those abstract reasoning skills [1]. Many of these games are designed for flexible group sizes, so they work just as well for family night as for a sleepover with friends.

Interactive gadgets are also making waves. Mini karaoke machines, for example, are a hit for their portability and Bluetooth connectivity, letting tweens host impromptu singalongs wherever they go [2]. Devices like the ZipString Luma add a dose of kinetic fun, creating glowing, floating strings that kids can manipulate and shape—perfect for parties or just burning off energy with friends.

Collectibles and plushies remain a social currency among tweens. Jellycat’s quirky plush charms and other trendy collectibles are being swapped, displayed, and gifted among friend groups, creating a sense of community and shared enthusiasm [4]. These items are more than just cute—they’re a way for kids to connect, trade, and express their interests together.

We’re also seeing a resurgence of classic activities with a modern twist, like instant cameras for capturing group memories or friendship bracelet kits that come with apps for new patterns and sharing designs [2]. These gifts encourage tweens to create together, celebrate milestones, and build lasting memories.

Whether your tween is a budding engineer, an aspiring artist, or the life of the party, 2025’s science and tech gifts offer something to ignite every curiosity. The best gifts don’t just entertain—they empower kids to explore, create, and connect in meaningful ways. We hope this guide helps you discover something that will spark joy and inspire new adventures for the tweens in your life.

Sources

[1] 34 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds of 2025 | Reviews by Wirecutter — https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/best-toys-gifts-for-10-year-olds/

[2] 35 Best Gifts for 11-Year-Olds 2025 — https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g44736138/best-toys-gifts-for-11-year-old/

[3] Learning Toys and STEM Toys We Love | Reviews by Wirecutter — https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/learning-toys-and-stem-toys-we-love/

[4] 22 gifts for teen girls: What they’re asking for in 2025 — https://www.reviewed.com/gift-guides/features/40-best-gifts-teenage-girls-cool-gift-ideas-teen-girls-actually-want

[5] Open-ended Building Toys 2024 | The Strategist — https://nymag.com/strategist/2024/09/favorite-building-toys.html